Tokyo, Nov. 17 (Jiji Press)—Over 80% of Japanese people think that Emperor Akihito’s burden of official duties should be reduced, a Jiji Press opinion poll showed Thursday.

According to the survey, 70.9% of respondents said the Emperor’s public activities should be reduced. In addition, 11.5% said that public activities should be eliminated in principal and that his duties should be limited to acts in matters of state.

Meanwhile, 11.9% said that public activities should not be reduced and 5.8% of respondents did not know.

The Emperor’s official duties consist of constitutional acts in matters of state and public activities. Acts in matters of state include convening parliament, appointing the prime minister, awarding honors, and signing and sealing documents of cabinet decisions, while visits to disaster-affected areas and the Imperial garden party are regarded as public activities.

The Emperor has wide discretion on public activities and their range has expanded under Emperor Akihito.